Mike Kewley on his experience of living with kidney disease

Mike Kewley, committee member of MRI KPA, shares his experience of living with kidney disease.

Mike Kewley – kidney transplant patient

I started my personal kidney journey in 1998 when I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure by Renal Consultant Dr Ackrill at Withington hospital. I was familiar with the disease as my mother had kidney failure and was on dialysis at the time. Throughout this period I continued in full time employment.

Despite being in that situation I managed to avoid dialysis until February 2005. I put that down to a very low protein diet, no salt in food, staying healthy by going to the gym and walking and very supportive family and friends.

In 2005 I started haemodialysis training at Wythenshawe hospital as I intended to do home haemodialysis to enable me to work full time. I had fistula several years earlier in preparation for this.

I was on the transplant list for several years and in March 2005 I received the “phone call” and had the kidney transplant on the 17 March 2005. I had several sessions of dialysis and one following the transplant as the kidney did not take straight away.

The kidney is still going and I appreciate I have been very lucky to have the transplant so soon in 2005. I continue to stay positive, eat healthy and exercise.